And Why This Step Protects You From Future Legal Trouble : India | Karnataka | Tamil Nadu | Kerala | Pan-India
Recent Bengaluru Case: How Misused Number Plates Enabled a ₹7 Crore ATM Heist
A recent high-profile ATM robbery case in Bengaluru, involving an estimated ₹7 crore cash theft, highlighted a serious and often ignored risk in India’s vehicle ecosystem.
What Happened (Publicly Robbery)
- Criminals used a different vehicle,
- but displayed the number plate of another registered vehicle,
- to hijack and transport an ATM machine,
- misleading CCTV systems, traffic cameras, and toll records.
This case clearly showed how number plate misuse alone can:
- defeat surveillance systems,
- delay police tracking,
- shift suspicion to an innocent vehicle owner.
The crime did not require a stolen vehicle - only a misused identity.
Why This Case Is a Wake-Up Call for Vehicle Owners
This incident proves one critical fact:
❗ Vehicle identity misuse is more dangerous than vehicle theft
When number plates or chassis plates fall into the wrong hands:
- stolen or scrapped vehicles can be “reborn” on paper,
- innocent owners may receive police notices,
- challans or FIR references can appear unexpectedly,
- owners are forced to prove innocence years later.
How This Links Directly to Vehicle Scrappage
Many such misuses happen because:
- number plates from scrapped vehicles are not destroyed or recovered,
- chassis plates are resold or reused,
- informal scrap dealers do not ensure identity closure.
A scrapped vehicle without secured identity parts is not truly scrapped.
Why Carbasket’s Practice Matters More Than Ever
In light of cases like the Bengaluru ATM heist, Carbasket’s policy becomes critical, not optional.
After every legal scrappage, Carbasket:
- removes the number plates,
- removes the chassis (VIN) plate,
- hands them over to the customer,
- sends them to any city or state in India,
- via courier or registered post,
- at Carbasket’s own cost – completely free.
This ensures:
- the vehicle identity cannot be reused,
- the owner retains physical proof,
- future crimes cannot be linked to the owner’s vehicle.
1. What Happens to a Vehicle After Legal Scrappage?
When a vehicle is legally scrapped, three identities must be permanently destroyed or closed:
- RC (Registration Certificate) - digital/legal identity
- Number Plate - public road identity
- Chassis & Engine Number - physical identity of the vehicle
Most vehicle owners assume scrappage ends with pickup and payment.
That assumption is dangerous.
2. Carbasket’s Unique Practice: Returning Number Plate & Chassis Plate
At Carbasket, after every legal vehicle scrappage, we:
- remove the number plates, and destroyed
- remove the chassis plate / VIN plate,
- hand them over to the customer at:
- their home address,
- another state,
- or any Indian city,
- via courier or registered post,
- at our own cost - completely FREE.
This is not common industry practice, but it is critical for owner protection.
3. Why Are Number Plate & Chassis Plate So Important?
A. They Are the Vehicle’s Identity
- Number plate = road identity (We destroying)
- Chassis number = birth certificate of the vehicle
If these remain in the wrong hands, the vehicle can be resurrected illegally.
B. Misuse After Scrappage Is a Real Problem in India
If number plate or chassis plate is not secured:
- vehicle shells can be rebuilt,
- stolen or accident vehicles can be re-punched,
- fake RCs can be created,
- vehicle can re-enter roads illegally.
👉 All future challans, crimes, or accidents may still reflect in the original owner’s name.
4. Why Local Scrap Vendors Don’t Give Chassis Plates (Truth Explained)
Most local scrap dealers:
- operate informally,
- are paid only for metal value,
- have no compliance responsibility.
Reasons they don’t give plates:
- They reuse chassis plates to re-punch stolen vehicles
- They sell plates to middlemen
- They don’t want proof that the vehicle was fully destroyed
- No accountability once cash is paid
This is why many owners later face:
- traffic challans,
- police notices,
- RTO complications,
- legal harassment years later.
5. Real Case Scenario (Based on Common Incidents)
A vehicle scrapped informally in one state
Reappears in another state with the same chassis number
Gets involved in a traffic offence or accident
Result:
- Notice sent to original owner
- Owner must prove the vehicle was scrapped
- No proof → legal nightmare
This happens because:
- chassis plate was never destroyed or returned,
- number plate stayed in circulation.
6. Is Handing Over Number Plate & Chassis Plate Mandatory by Law?
Legally:
- The Motor Vehicles Act requires RC cancellation and intimation.
- Physical destruction of identity parts is implied but not always enforced uniformly.
Practically:
- Yes, it is essential for owner safety.
- Courts and RTOs rely on:
- chassis number evidence,
- physical identity proof,
- owner possession records.
Carbasket follows best-practice compliance, not minimum compliance.
7. How Customers Can Use the Plates After Receiving Them
Once you receive:
- number plate and destroyed
- chassis plate
You should:
- keep them safely as proof of destruction,
- present them if:
- RTO seeks clarification,
- police verification arises,
- insurance or legal query occurs.
They are your defence documents.
8. What Happens If Plates Are Misused?
If plates are misused:
- challans may appear unexpectedly,
- legal notices may arrive,
- criminal cases may require explanation,
- re-punched vehicles may circulate.
Recovering from this is:
- time-consuming,
- expensive,
- mentally draining.
Prevention is easier than defence.
9. Why Carbasket Does This (Our Philosophy)
Carbasket is not just a scrap buyer.
We are a compliance-first vehicle scrapping platform.
Our goal:
- protect vehicle owners after scrappage,
- ensure vehicle identity never re-enters circulation,
- eliminate future legal risk.
This is why we:
- remove identity plates,
- return them to owners,
- ship them pan-India at our cost.
10. Why This Makes Carbasket Different
Closure guidance ✅
Chassis plate return ✅
Number plate return ✅
Courier across India ✅
Future legal protection ✅
Local vendors are not provided the above.
11. FAQs
Q1. Do I really need the number plate after scrapping?
Yes. It proves the vehicle cannot return to roads and destroyed
Q2. Is chassis plate important after scrappage?
Yes. It is the most critical identity of the vehicle.
Q3. Is Carbasket charging extra for this service?
No. It is completely free.
Q4. Can local scrap dealers misuse my vehicle identity?
Yes. This is a known industry risk.
Q5. Does Carbasket send plates outside my state?
Yes. Across Indian cities via courier or registered post.
Q6. What if challans appear after scrapping?
Having plates and documentation protects you legally.
12. Final Takeaway
Scrapping a vehicle is not just about metal.
It is about ending the vehicle’s identity forever.
If identity parts stay outside your control,
your liability never truly ends.
Carbasket ensures:
- your vehicle is scrapped,
- your identity is secured,
- your future is protected.
📞 Get Instant Quote & Safe Scrappage
👉 Call: 8903331448 | 9443511500
🌐 Website: https://www.carbasket.in
Carbasket – Because scrapping should end the problem, not create a new one.
